One of Sean's major yearly events is the Kitsap Friends Of Scouting Breakfast. It's a huge event, in the vicinity of 250-300 business people and community leaders are in attendance. Held in the early morning, there is always a delicious breakfast, an excellent keynote speaker, and some fun Scouting pageantry. This year, Sean decided to put Patrick on the program, saying the opening prayer. There are always some Boy Scout aged kids involved in the program, but he has hesitated about involving Cub Scouts for logistical reasons. But, well, Patrick was game and if anyone could do it, he could, right? :)
They did sit down and write out the prayer so that he would stay on track and say the important things, but he reads with such feeling, I don't think very many people knew he was reading. Anyway, we went in the day before to do a sound check and make sure he was comfortable in the ballroom he would be in.
The next morning one my of wonderful friends got up really, really early to come over and stay with the girls while I took Patrick to the breakfast. When we got there he mingled like a pro, shaking hands and greeting people. Kid has NO fear, which is a great trait to have in the situation. I tried for a picture of Sean and him, but Sean was still at maximum stress level so we got the fake smile.
Once the program got started, Patrick lined up behind the boys who were doing the flag ceremony and the trio of Scouts who were singing the National Anthem (a capella, and BEAUTIFULLY) and waited for his turn. I decided it wasn't a good idea to be snapping pictures during a prayer, but I wish I could have. He was so dang cute up there. He gave a very nice invocation and was sincere in prayer which was important to me, that he pray genuinely, not like a theatrical performance. When he came back to our table, he was greeted with may compliments on his bravery and the good job he did in front of all those people.
While eating our breakfast, one of the people given a few minutes was Senator Derek Kilmer. Sean had invited him on the off chance he'd be in town and he was, and attended which was nice. Patrick strongly affiliates with the Democratic party (or at least he thinks he does! ;)) so he was happy to see the good senator in attendance.
So much so, that he needed a photo op. They had a nice little chat about Patrick's future and how impressed Senator Kilmer was with Patrick's contribution to the program.
Just a shot of the room, this is only one side. Huge crowd for a little boy to speak in front of. He did have a few friendly face there though, several ward members who are friends of scouting and other friends of ours were in attendance.
Such a cute little Cub Scout! Scouting has done some really good things for Patrick and has given him some special opportunities already in life. I know I was kind of a "scouting doubter" at one time, as many moms are, but I am loving the influence is is having on my son. He did a fantastic job and this was a morning to remember. Not to be left out, it was also awesome to see my husband at work, pulling off an event of this scope. He is really phenomenal at his job and there aren't many who would be cut out for all that in entails. He loves his work and it shows in his execution of these big scale events, and the little day to day interactions with volunteers and scouts alike.
After the breakfast was over (we headed out a little early, missing the keynote speaker, the CEO of Alaska Airlines) we raced back home to change clothes and grab school gear and get Patrick to school on time. Fortunately it was late start Wednesday and he made it on time to preserve his precious 100% attendance record. Phew! The girls and I swung by later and took him a Wendy's happy meal for lunch as a "good job" surprise. He earned it!
